Well, I'm no professional recording artist, but I know that the producer has a huge say over the general SOUND of a record. The Hip are always two guitars, bass, drum, and vocals, yet their albums sound different; e.g., the drums on Fully Completely don't sound like those on IBE; the vocals on IBE don't sound just like those on 'Day for Night.' Such variations are examples of the results of production decisions: how the drums (for instance) will be recorded, whether overdubs will be used, whether the band members will be in the same room for recording, etc., etc.. So I suppose when I'm talking about production I mean how the person overseeing the recording process got the band to sound.
If I had to RANK the production of Hip CDs from best to worst (not that anyone asked), I'd say:
1. IBE :thumb:
2. PP
3. Henhouse
4. Up to Here
5. Day for Night
6. Road Apples
7. Music@work
8. FC
9. IVL :x
Only the latter two qualify as 'crappy,' though.
Im curious as to why everyone seems to despise the production of IVL so much...? What is it that makes it so atrocious?
I may be alone here, but doesnt the production suit the general tone of the album? The production of the album obviously has a totally different approach than say, IBE, but thats because they wanted the sound that they achieved. I guess what Im asking is, do people like the album but hate the production, or is it being said that the production is lousy because the album and its concept in general is not well taken in the first place?
The production on IVL highlights the shortcomings in the meandering songwriting. The mix, the use of technology, the sound of the instruments...it does not complement the Hip's five-on-the-floor ideal sound. It's too polished, too glossy, way too professional sounding. When you do that you take the "raw" feeling out of it.
IVL to me is like cheez whiz...processed within an inch of its very existence. Give me a nice chunk of Stilton, hell even some good ol' Southern-smoked Cheddar, but for the love of god spare me the cheez whiz.
I like the way Grooveless Tongue thinks! :mrgreen:
IVL does have a somewhat meandering songwriting style, much less disciplined and direct than IBE---but much more focused than M@W, upon which it's an improvement. My feeling is that it's an album of good songs, marred by the production. Even 'Silver Jet' sounds polished and tamed (e.g., the synthesized-sounding background vocals).
A different producer would have made a much better record. So it's not the 'concept' (whatever that was), so much as the execution IMHO.
Killer Whale Tank Wrote:Grooveless Tongue
Almost.
:lol:
A Freudian slip, perhaps...too bad I don't swing that way, buddy. :lol:
Holy shit! That's what I get for barely paying attention. A little loss of judgement...momentary temporary total breakdown in judgement...some kinda failure to, you know...have judgement? :mrgreen: